RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Nail Polish Does Not Significantly Affect Pulse Oximetry Measurements in Mildly Hypoxic Subjects
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1470
OP 1474
VO 53
IS 11
A1 Yamamoto, Loren G
A1 Yamamoto, Julienne A
A1 Yamamoto, Joelle B
A1 Yamamoto, Brennan E
A1 Yamamoto, Patricia P
YR 2008
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/53/11/1470.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: The effect of nail polish on pulse oximetry measurements in non-hypoxic subjects has been studied extensively. Some studies found that nail polish decreased pulse-oximetry (SpO2) values, whereas others found no effects from nail polish. OBJECTIVE: To determine if nail polish affects SpO2 measurements in mildly hypoxic subjects. METHODS: At high altitude, 5 investigators, whose mean oxygen saturation was 91.3% (mild hypoxia), and with 2 brands of pulse oximeter and oximetry probe, obtained SpO2 measurements from a finger with nail polish and from the matching finger on the opposite hand without nail polish. We tested 9 different nail-polish colors and made 210 pairs of SpO2 measurements. RESULTS: The mean ± SD SpO2 values from the fingers with and without nail polish, respectively, were 91.4 ± 4.1% and 91.2 ± 3.5% (difference –0.2 ± 3.2%, 95% confidence interval 0.2% to 0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: With the pulse oximeters and oximetry probes we tested, nail-polish had no significant effect on SpO2 in mildly hypoxic healthy subjects.